AS PART of a move of register office services in Bury St Edmunds to a new site, couples will be able to have a register office-style wedding at the Athenaeum.

From December 1 this year local authority ceremonies will be able to take place in the Old Billiards Room in the Grade I-Listed building in Angel Hill.

Suffolk County Council’s register office service in the town is to leave its current home at the council’s former Shire Hall offices in Raingate Street and move to offices within Suffolk House in Angel Hill, which is also where the town council offices are based.

The registrars will have ground floor accommodation for the registration of births and deaths and the administration of marriage and civil partnerships.

Couples wanting a local authority wedding will have the choice of getting married at Suffolk House or in the Old Billiards Room at the Athenaeum.

The register office move should take place between November 7 to 9 and during this time a small temporary office will be set up at the Suffolk Record Office and will offer a limited service. From November 12 the service will operate from Suffolk House in Angel Hill.

Suffolk County Councillor Jane Storey, cabinet member responsible for the registrars service, said: “We have always been committed to maintaining a quality registration service in the west of the county and a location within the historic core of Bury St Edmunds is an ideal place for the service to operate from.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer a room within the Athenaeum as a venue for ceremonies. It’s an iconic building in the town and I know it will be perfect for couples to share their big day.”

Councillor Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture and sport, said: “The Athenaeum is already licensed for celebrating weddings, and I am very pleased that we are able to offer such a unique setting for people marking these life-affirming occasions.”

Other rooms in the Athenaeum, including the ballroom, are still available for private hire including weddings, conferences, exhibitions and dinners. These rooms can be booked via Mary Myers at Sodexo on 01284 735957.